FIRE-FIGHTING ROBOT KIT TO BE USED IN TUNNELS AND SUBSURFACE FACILITIES AND RESTRICTED SPACE

摘要

This article provides information on the assessment performed in order to obtain the CE marking on an innovative water based fire fighting system intended to be used for fire suppression or fire control in tunnels, subsurface facilities and restricted spaces. It is essentially a remote control monitor transported along a monorail. The kit consists of two main components: a fixed monorail, equipped with plug-in valves and joint expansions, and a mobile unit, that runs along the monorail, equipped with hoses for firefighting purpose. The monorail is anchored to the structure and serves also as main fire fighting water/foam supply pipe. In case of fire, the mobile unit runs, automatically or under remote control, along the monorail toward the fire location and connects automatically to the most suitable plug-in valve. After having ensured a tight connection, flow is allowed to deliver water toward the fire source. During the approach and the suppression of the fire, the mobile unit can transmit remotely images in the visible/infrared spectrum. The mobile unit is assumed to enter the firefighting condition, in an event of fire, before the fire growth is so large to affects the functioning of its components: based on an average speed of 25 km/h, the maximun travel time to the fire location is fixed to 6 minutes. One single mobile unit can therefore cover a track with a maximum lenght of 2500 m; longer distances (or reduced maximum travel time) require more than one mobile unit to be installed. The study presents the basics, essential requirements necessary to qualify the system and a summary of the testing results obtained.